Techniques

Drilling Clean Holes

By Bob Duncan

Readers who prefer to store back issues in a three-ring binder may continue to do so by drilling their own holes. You can clamp the magazine tightly between two pieces of wood and drill the holes with a 1/4″ (6mm)- to 5/16″ (8mm)-diameter drill bit, but this method leaves a fuzzy hole. The following shop-tested method requires only a small investment in time and materials and is a sure-fire way to drill clean holes.

 

Materials:
Oak or hardwood of choice: 3/4″ (1.9cm) x 8 1/2″ (21.6cm) x 11″ (27.9cm) (backing board)
Oak or hardwood of choice: 1/4″ (6mm) x 1 1/2″ (3.8cm) x 8 3/4″ (22.2cm) (top rail)
Oak or hardwood of choice: 1/4″ (6mm) x 1 1/2″(3.8cm)  x 11″ (27.9cm) (side rail)
Oak or hardwood of choice: 3/4″ (1.9cm) x 2 1/2″ (1.3cm) x 11″ (27.9cm) (drill guide)
Steel tubing, such as brake line: 1/4″ (6mm)–5/16″ (8mm) dia. x 4″ (10.2cm) long
Wood glue
Nails or screws

Tools:
Drill press with drill bit slightly larger than steel tubing
Hammer
C clamps
Cone-shaped stone or diamond bit

 

CLICK HERE to download the Drill Clean Holes Instructions.

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